Jeff Davis Parish.com
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Dad’s Wonderful
Life
March 23
1920 – March 18 2009
Dad lived
a life more simple than most, but make no mistake about it, he was an
accomplished man.
His achievements were not found in money earned or assets acquired. For some,
this is a suitable measurement of achievement. His accomplishments are found in
the individual lives he touched. In each person he encountered.
Dad questioned
his achievements and there was some discussion about it. Perhaps it is part of
the process. A thought process, as much for the living as it is for the dying.
What value did a life bring?
The life of my Dad brought great value to this world, just being himself.
In the Jimmy Stewart movie of 1946, “It’s a Wonderful Life”, an angel helps
George Bailey, a compassionate but frustrated businessman, by showing what life
would be like if he never existed. Instead of looking for some grand
achievement, Dad’s life should be looked at within that same perspective.
Dad was the most generous person you will ever meet. Like George Bailey, his
generosity probably got in the way of what he really wanted to accomplish for
himself. Combine that with being the father of 10 children and he likely found
himself, throughout the years, putting his dreams on hold, time and again, for
one reason or another. It is apparent; he would have had to make personal
sacrifices in order to accomplish the feat of supporting all of his children. By
the time we were all grown, it was likely too late to continue to pursue that
one big accomplishment he may have envisioned.
Dad’s “one big accomplishment” was substituted, by thousands of smaller ones. Nothing that will likely make the history books, nothing carved in granite, but important to individuals nonetheless.
The depth of Dad’s achievements also resides within our own. Each of us should reflect on what WE have achieved. What lives WE have touched. The good WE have done. Certainly all of us can think of the people we have encountered along the way. Those we have helped, when they needed it most. Perhaps even a life we think we helped save. In this way, if we have difficulty recognizing his achievements, it is likely because we cannot see our own. As in the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life”, we have to consider what life would have been like if DAD never existed. Had he not, what we consider our own achievements would have never happened. His children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and other generations would not be here. Whatever “good” we think we’ve done, wouldn’t have happened. We do not know what the future holds, among the generations he is responsible for, with that one great achievement yet to unfold. Our achievements are his. It is because he existed.
Everyone I encountered had positive things to say about my Dad. How could anyone dislike him? His wit, charm, and calm disposition wouldn’t allow it. I think the more important thing to know, is that; I can’t recall Dad himself disliking anyone. I believe there is more comfort for the living knowing that he liked everyone he met. If he simply met you, to him, he knew you well. With Robert Semmes, the old cliché, “he never met a stranger”, applies.
Like George Bailey, lofty dreams went unfulfilled, and instead were replaced by thousands of smaller achievements. No less significant than anyone else. In the end what matter’s most is how you treat people along the way, the lives you have touched with your generosity, the days you improved for people, with your sense of humor, and the family you leave behind to continue the work of these smaller achievements.
In the end, many of his greater accomplishments will all be assembled together,
sitting next to each other in a church, reflecting on his life. By this measure,
his life was a monumental success. He made a difference.
Should anyone say “aren’t you one of Robert Semmes’ kids”, I have always been
able to hold my head high, throw my shoulders back, put a smile on my face and
declare with absolute pride…..”yes I am”.
Joe